Betrayed. Morgan Rice

he had done it all right in front of her eyes.

      Caleb rushed over to her, and this time, Caitlin didn’t run. She stood where she was, frozen in shock, as she felt the rage well up within her. She felt herself becoming fierce, fiercer than she had ever been as a human.

      “Caitlin,” Caleb began, “this is not what it seems. Please, let me explain – ”

      But as Caleb approached her, as he began speaking, Caitlin simply reached out a finger and pointed at the horizon.

      “LEAVE!” she screamed, scowling.

      It was an order. It was not a question, and it didn’t leave open any room for discussion.

      Caleb stood there, frozen himself, apparently shocked at her ferocity. He must have seen how resigned she was.

      “I SAID LEAVE!” Caitlin screamed again. “I never want to see you again. As long as I live!”

      Caleb stood there, looking shocked and hurt himself, like a little boy who had just been scolded. It looked like there was so much he wanted to say to her, but that he could also tell she would never hear a word of it.

      He slowly lowered his head, despondent.

      He turned and walked to the edge of the rampart, took two long strides, jumped onto the edge of the railing, and leapt off. He was soon flying, his giant wings flapping, and heading off into the night.

      Caitlin could see Sera turn her head and look after him, watching him fly away, looking worried, like she wanted to fly after him. But she also looked torn, like there was something she wanted to say to Caitlin before she did.

      Sera suddenly took several steps towards Caitlin, coming within feet of her.

      “I hate you,” Sera said, slowly, her voice dripping with venom. “I will always hate you. You tried to take my man away from me. And it will never work. Caleb doesn’t want you. He wants me. Only me. And that’s the way it’s always been.”

      Caitlin was in too much of a fury to bother responding, and she had nothing to say to her anyway.

      Sera’s wings expanded behind her, as she got ready to depart. Before she turned, she leaned in close to Caitlin, and whispered one last thing: “I have something with Caleb that you will never have. Not as long as you live. I’m sure he never told you, and I’m sure he never will.”

      Caitlin stared back at her with equal rage, wondering what else this vile creature could possibly tell her that could cause her any more upset than she already had. She didn’t think it was possible.

      But as she heard her next words, she realized that there was, indeed, something that could make her feel even worse.

      “Caleb and I have a child.”

      Nine

      Samantha found herself escorted by two hulking vampire guards down the stone corridor. They stood close, but neither dared grab her arm. She was too senior of a warrior to them – they would never cross such a line of disrespect. Despite their size, despite the fact that they were male, she was a much more powerful warrior than both of them – and they knew it.